“When I lost my wife Lena, in an accident, a policeman came knocking on my door to tell me,” he recalled.

“After he had gone I was so upset. I put my hands on my kitchen sink and I felt as if I was going to vomit. My little dog Benji jumped up and put his paws alongside mine. He had never done that before, but he knew I was upset and he was trying to comfort me.”

Last month MPs voted to reject the inclusion of animal sentience into the EU Withdrawal Bill – and instantly faced a celebrity-led backlash on social media, despite insisting that it made no difference, and that pets, livestock and wildlife are already adequately protected by the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.

Now, the Government has published a new law that says it must treat animals as ‘sentient beings’. The draft law also increases the maximum sentence for serious animal cruelty to five years in jail.

Despite accusations that the Government has performed a ‘screeching U-turn’, the new legislation has been widely welcomed by animal lovers – although some believe it still does not go far enough.

Sid, of Trentham, organiser of the annual Pet Run, added: “The maximum sentence for animal cruelty should be 20 years. Bring back hanging for cruelty to little defenceless animals.

“I’m a widower. My dog, Bonnie, is all I’ve got. I don’t want another wife, my dog is my family.”

Will new legislation make 'Brexit work for animals'?

Peter Matthews, chairman of the Staffordshire North RSPCA, said: “I’m in favour of sentences being increased for animal cruelty, and about animal sentience being included in legislation. I think anyone who has ever owned a pet or been involved in animals will know that they are sentient.”

Sue Bourne, secretary of the Stoke and Newcastle branch of Cats Protection, said: "As long as the new legislation comes in immediately so that there is no gap, that's acceptable, and upping the maximum sentence can only be a good thing.

"If anyone has had animals, they know they have feelings and can understand certain things."

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The draft bill says the Government ‘must have regard to the welfare needs of animals as sentient beings in formulating and implementing government policy’.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, so we are writing that principle into law and ensuring that we protect their welfare.

“Our plans will also increase sentences for those who commit the most heinous acts of animal cruelty to five years in jail.

“We are a nation of animal lovers so we will make Brexit work not just for citizens but for the animals we love and cherish too.”

The UK is supposed to be a nation of animal lovers

Recent examples of animal cruelty in North Staffordshire have included a mum-of-three from Abbey Hulton who received a suspended sentence after RSPCA officers found 42 dead guinea pigs wrapped in puppy pads, and a further two bags filled with deceased rodents. She had admitted causing unnecessary suffering to 11 guinea pigs and four rabbits.

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A woman from Norton Green also received a suspended sentence for neglecting her cats – one of which had to have its leg amputated because of neglect.

The owner of a pony found starving in a field near Stone, was however jailed for 18 weeks.

Michael Ward, RSPCA interim chief executive, said: “It’s great news that the Government has committed to bringing in tougher sentences in England and Wales.

“Sadly, every year, our inspectors are faced with sickening cases of animal abuse, cruelty and neglect.

“This year our officers have seen shocking cases of horses being hit repeatedly with wood, pets being beaten to death by their owners, and dogs being kept in cold, concrete pens coated in their own filth.

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“As the cruelty continues to shock us, so too do the sentences handed out to such cold-hearted and cruel individuals. Of the 40 people who received immediate jail terms in RSPCA prosecutions this year so far, just 14 were given sentences towards the upper limit of six months.”

Anyone who has owned a pet will know animals have feelings

Chris Luffingham, director of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, added: “This move is a welcome and huge step forward for animals.

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“We’d hope the Government takes one more necessary step to really protect animals, which is the creation of a register of animal abusers so that if someone is banned from keeping animals, it’ll be much, much harder for them to go out and get another pet immediately, which they can do now.

“We’ve got to stop making it so easy for people to repeatedly harm animals.”